Why do we love food so much? Obviously, it is necessary to our survival, and no one enjoys feeling hunger pains. But mere sustenance alone does not warrant hours of labor in a hot kitchen, or toiling in a field on a humid day, or treating generational family recipes like sacred treasures. Surely, our fascination […]
How farm to school programs help foster community
Farm to cafeteria programs are skyrocketing. In 2015, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that 42% or 42,587 schools in the United States had a program where they were buying locally grown produce. These programs, combined with farm to school activities such as farm tours, were especially effective with pre-K students. But less […]
We can say that we actually have a farm now
We gathered together at the HAFA farmhouse on Monday, October 19th to reflect on the waning season. It was also the annual land lottery where farmers could to choose to stay on their 5 acre plot or switch to another plot on the HAFA Farm. Mai Moua has been farming in Minnesota since 2005 and grows dozens […]
I honor anyone who works with their hands
Dave Wolner is excited. A career carpenter and leader in the Carpenters Union Local 322, he now finds himself inspired to build bridges to the good jobs in the trades unions with youth in the YouthBuild program at Saint Paul’s first charter school, City Academy. This fall, Dave helped City Academy team up with HAFA […]
We can do it right here
This fall, Mai Houa joined the HAFA staff as a packing assistant. She helps the Hmong farmers in HAFA’s Food Hub pack their produce and sell them to schools, retailers, wholesalers and other institutions. She never thought that she would be a farmer, but two years ago, she began helping her husband and in-laws grow […]
Why do Hmong farmers need their own organization?
Our communities of partners — like you — know that we are all lifted higher when those most affected by an unfair food system lead the change we seek. Many farmers who are not Hmong often ask us if they can join HAFA or if there is a comparable organization in their own ethnic communities. But […]
We are dedicated to advancing the prosperity of Hmong farmers through cooperative endeavors, capacity building and advocacy. HAFA was started and is led by family farmers. Organizing is in our DNA.